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A raccoon was found to have rabies after attacking a pet dog in Peekskill, authorities said Thursday.

The rabid raccoon attacked a pet dog and was very aggressive toward people who attempted to approach on Woodale Avenue in Peekskill in the Tuesday, Aug. 8 incident, Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler said.

Anyone bitten by a rabid animal or having contact with its saliva may need to receive immediate post-exposure rabies treatment, according to Amler. When administered early enough, before symptoms develop, the treatment is 100 percent effective. Once symptoms occur, in humans or animals, the disease is fatal.

In an effort to protect oneself from rabies, one should never feed, handle or approach wild or stray animals, Amler noted.

Anyone who may have been, or who has a pet that may have been in contact with the raccoon in Peekskill has been asked to contact the Westchester County Department of Health by calling (914) 813-5000. More information on rabies from the county can be found
here
.